If you're in Northern Ireland, check out the Rethink Waste campaign which gives great tips on recycling, reduction and reuse of waste items.

Repair and reuse

In our disposable society, we often just buy new goods rather than try to repair our older broken ones. But a new movement of 'Repair Cafes' is trying to change that. Repair Cafes are free community events manned by expert volunteers and DIY whizzes who can fix a range of broken household goods. The Cafes aim to encourage people to think about their relationship with the items they own and to empower people to repair things themselves.

And finally… dispose with disposables

Previous generations never dreamed of single-use razors, plastic forks, polystyrene cups, disposable shopping bags, or throw-away food containers. When you make a purchase, consider the item’s life expectancy – and that of the packaging it comes in. How long can the item be used? Will it have more than one use? When you’re done with it, will it end up in the bin? Start investing in reusable products for the items you most often throw away.